Khmer Rouge prison chief may get 40 years

Duch's defence has argued that he should receive a shortened sentence because he has confessed and apologised.

Chor Sokunthea: Reuters

International prosecutors have called for a sentence of 40 years for the first defendant in Cambodia's landmark Khmer Rouge trials.

The prosecution argues it has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Comrade Duch, or Kaing Guek Eav, is guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In summing up the case against the former head of the notorious S-21 prison where about 15,000 people died, prosecutor William Smith said Duch was responsible for murder, extermination, enslavement, rape and persecution.

Duch's defence has argued that he should receive a shortened sentence because he has confessed and apologised.

But the prosecution says a life sentence should only be reduced marginally to reflect the apology and a number of years of unlawful detention.

Duch is scheduled to address the court later today.

He is expected to beg forgiveness for his role in the Khmer Rouge communist movement.